Find out about all the exciting things happening in libraries near you
LGBTQ+ History month
February is LGBTQ+ History Month. UK and Surrey Libraries will be celebrating this special month with several events including:
- Author Sasha Coward will discuss his book Queer as Folklore on Saturday 1 February from 2.15pm to 3.30pm at Guildford Library. Suggested donation £2. Book in the library or email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk.
- Our LGBTQ+ Staff Network is running a networking event at Woking Library. Aimed at professionals inside and outside the council. Drop in on Thursday 4 February between 3pm to 5pm for a cuppa and a cupcake and find out about the staff network. If you have any questions, please contact LGBTQStaffNetwork@surreycc.gov.uk.
- Ashtead Library is starting a monthly Junior Art & Craft Club for children aged 6 to 11 years old. First drop-in taster session will be looking at artist Keith Haring as part of LGBTQ+ History month. The event will take place on Saturday 8 February from 2pm to 3pm. Try out first session for free, following sessions we will ask for a donation to cover the cost of materials.
Adult author events
- An Afternoon with Jeffrey Holland and Robert Ross. At Esher Library, Thursday 20 February, 2.30pm start. Tickets £3.50. To book your tickets, please visit Surrey Libraries Eventbrite web page.
- Local historian and author Dr David Taylor will host the talk 'The "Hermit of the Mole": Matthew Arnold in Victorian Cobham', At Cobham Library, Friday 28 February, 1pm to 2pm. Tickets £5. Book at Cobham library or email us at cobham.library@surreycc.gov.uk
- Author Anna Britton will discuss her latest crime novel 'Close to the Edge'. At Camberley Library, Saturday 1 March, 2pm start. Tickets £4. To book your tickets, please visit Surrey Libraries Eventbrite web page.
Creating sounds– try out musical instruments with Surrey Arts
Creating Sounds is an opportunity for children in school years 2 to 6 to try musical instruments in a Surrey Library. Hosted by friendly and experienced colleagues from Surrey Arts. These 40 minute sessions will give children a chance to learn how to hold instruments, create sounds and explore new possibilities.
This musical experience is taking place in the following Libraries:
- Staines Library – Brass Instruments and Singing. Two sessions (10am and 11am) on Monday 17 February
- Woking Library – Woodwind Instruments and Guitar. Two sessions (2pm and 3pm) on Monday 17 February
- Leatherhead Library – Clarinet and Saxophone. Two sessions (10am and 11am) on Wednesday 19 February
- Ewell Library – Woodwind and Brass Instruments. Two sessions (2pm and 3pm) on Wednesday 19 February
Tickets are available with a donation (minimum recommended donation is £3 per child). All children must be accompanied by an adult. To book your tickets, please visit Surrey Libraries Eventbrite web page.
Collect a tree from a Surrey library – Saturday 8 February
In support of our 1.2m Tree Strategy, to plant one tree for every Surrey resident by 2030, Surrey Libraries are giving away free trees at the following libraries on Saturday 8 February 2025:
- Bramley Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Esher Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Horley Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Horsley Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- New Haw Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Staines Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Tattenhams Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- West Byfleet Library 10am to 12 noon
The trees are native, broad-leaved species and come with a stake and tie, ready for garden planting. We will also provide a leaflet containing information on how to plant and care for your tree. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please see events and activities in libraries.
Gathering place 360 – Creative workshops at Woking and Staines libraries.
Join Made By Katie Green to step back in time and visit four fascinating archaeological sites in Surrey. Explore history, watch Virtual Reality 360 films and make some inspiring artwork. Aimed at young people aged 9+ and adults.
- Woking Library, Saturday 15 February, five sessions between 10.30am and 3.15pm
- Staines Library, Saturday 15 March, five sessions between 10.30am and 3.15pm
Free event. For more information about events and activities in libraries.
Heads & Tails storytelling spectacles
To celebrate National Storytelling Week in February, storytellers John Kirk and Andy Copps are back to perform their interactive animal stories Heads & Tails on:
- Saturday 8 February at Merstham Library (10am) and Redhill Library at the Belfry Shopping Centre (two sessions, at 10.30am and 2pm)
- Saturday 22 February at Guildford Library (two sessions, at 10am and 11.30am) and Godalming Library (2pm)
Event for families with children aged 5+. Tickets are available with a donation (minimum recommendation £2 per person). To book your ticket, visit our Eventbrite page.
Fire safety talk at Haslemere library
Surrey Firefighters are visiting Haslemere Library on Tuesday 18 February, 10am to 11am. They will be talking about fire safety and information about their free home services. Free talk, and all ages welcome. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate available.
Lego and Duplo clubs
Our Lego and Duplo clubs are a firm favourite with our Surrey families. Many of our libraries now host regular sessions. These include: Banstead, Caterham Hill, Caterham valley, Dorking, Egham, Farnham, Frimley Green, Haslemere and Oxted Libraries. Find out if your local library hosts these clubs by visiting their events webpage.
Terrific Tigers workshop – Horley library
Free creative workshop for children aged 5 to 10 years to find out about endangered animals with the support of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Learn more about Terrific Tigers and then get crafty with a tiger face mask or tiger puppet activity. At Horley Library, Tuesday 18 February, 2.30pm start. To book your free tickets, please visit Surrey Libraries Eventbrite web page.
Join a reading group (or start your own!)
Do you enjoy a good read? Relish a lively conversation? Like meeting people in a friendly environment? Why not join a library-hosted reading group! Many of our Surrey Libraries are hosting adult Reading Groups in their libraries. If you want something more informal, you can join one of our Reading Friends groups. Children (7 to 11 years) can join our Chatterbooks groups, and some libraries host Teens Reading groups.
To find out more, please visit our websites:
Reading Friends in Surrey libraries
Chatterbooks children's reading groups